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Changing Sub-Frame

M

michaeljd38

New member
I need to change the sub-frame (cradle) in a 2008 Grand Prix I bought wrecked. I have a parts car that i can't get into the shop on the hoist that I am using for a replacement. I need to do it in the driveway on the ground like I used to. Any tips? Been awhile since I have had one all the way out without a hoist. Other posts make it sound like it isn't difficult but wanted to be sure what I was jumping into before i get started.
Thanks
 


Pop the balljoints, unbolt the rack from the sub, chain the drivetrain up top, undo the motor mounts and out it comes.
 
Can i put the rack bolts back in from the motor side? Originally they come out through the back, had to unbolt the sway bar to get them out to drop the cradle. Thinking if i run them from the motor side i can bolt up the sway bar before installing the new cradle.
 
You can't do the driverside, based on the trans being in the way. If you unbolt the endlinks, you can do the bolts w/o a problem.
 
Unfortunately, the donor car has 220,000 miles and mine has 86,000. I don't want to trust wear parts with that many miles. I just unbolted the ends of the sway bar, pushed it to the side and popped the bolts out, just looking for any shortcuts I can find. Reusing my ball joints, lower control arms, motor mounts and sway bar.
 


Tricks I've found.

You can do the sway bushing bolts on the passenger side in the car from above with the coolant tank out of the way and a 30" extension and swivel socket.
Undoing the sway end links allows you to pull the ps rack bolts
Balljoints, control arm and sway bar replacement is always easier when the subframe is out of the car.
 
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